Soniya Jain, a dynamic farmer and agripreneur from Jhalawar, Rajasthan, is redefining the face of Indian agriculture through her innovative and inclusive approach. As a first-generation woman farmer, she has built a diversified, self-sustaining agribusiness that generates an impressive annual income of up to Rs 1 crore. Her enterprise goes beyond personal success- it serves as a platform for empowering fellow farmers, especially women, by promoting sustainable practices, direct-to-market models, and rural entrepreneurship.
At the heart of her journey lies a deep commitment to transforming challenges into opportunities, a vision that took root during her early years and was nurtured through education and determination.
Early Life & Education: Laying the Foundation
Born in Jhalawar, Rajasthan, Soniya grew up observing the challenges faced by farmers- low profitability, dependence on middlemen, and lack of access to modern technologies. Inspired to make a difference, she pursued a bachelor’s and master’s degree in rural development, equipping herself with knowledge on sustainable agriculture, rural economy, and farmer welfare.
Her ambitions became even clearer after marriage when she envisioned reviving her family’s agricultural legacy with innovation and enterprise. Determined to build a profitable and farmer-centric model, she set out to create a diversified, self-sustaining farm.
Integrated & Sustainable Farming Systems
Soniya has embraced integrated and sustainable farming systems by adopting advanced agronomic practices that enhance productivity while preserving soil health. She meticulously balances organic and inorganic fertilizers through Integrated Nutrient Management to maintain soil fertility, while Integrated Pest and Weed Management employs eco-friendly techniques to control agricultural threats. Her approach to Integrated Water Management optimizes irrigation efficiency with tube wells, open wells, sprinklers, drip irrigation, and rain guns, ensuring water conservation.
By utilizing certified seeds and implementing rigorous seed treatment methods, she guarantees high-quality crop selection and disease resistance. Timely sowing and summer ploughing play a crucial role in reducing soil erosion and boosting productivity, while Post-Harvest Techniques (PHT) ensure proper storage and value addition to agricultural produce. Equipped with modern farming implements- including tractors, bund formers, ploughs, cultivators, seed drills, sprayers, and levellers-her farm operates efficiently on a large scale, exemplifying sustainable agricultural innovation.
Diversified Agricultural Practices & Specializations
Soniya cultivates a wide variety of crops, striking a balance between commercial markets and the needs of local farmers. Her diverse agricultural portfolio promotes sustainability, enhances food security, and supports profitability across multiple sectors.
In grain and cereal production, she grows barley, sunflower, millets, jowar, bajra, Pigambari wheat (a low glycemic index variety), Sharbati wheat, and white maize. These staple crops are not only essential to daily diets but also offer significant nutritional benefits.
Within the pulses and oilseeds category, Soniya produces soybean, mustard, black chana, green chana, Kabuli chana, and quinoa. These protein-rich and high-value crops help meet the rising demand for healthier food options.
Expanding further, she has also ventured into rice cultivation, adding another essential staple to her crop portfolio and enhancing both market accessibility and food security.
Recognizing the growing interest in herbal and medicinal plants, Soniya cultivates a range of medicinal crops including Aloe Vera, Tulsi, Akarkara, Safed Musli, Ashwagandha, Gokhru, Kalmegh, Chia, Alsi, and Sharavati. In addition, she engages in floriculture, producing safflower tea to support the herbal wellness industry.
Her spice production includes premium-quality coriander, mustard, methi, garlic, and chilli—all cultivated with meticulous care to ensure superior quality. Complementing this, she grows a variety of seasonal vegetables such as cucumber, tomato, onion, cauliflower, ladyfinger, pumpkin, and radish. In fruit crops she grows oranges and papaya, This diversification allows her to meet year-round consumer demand and maintain a steady market presence.
To further boost productivity and crop quality, Soniya has developed 4000 square meters of polyhouse and net house infrastructure. Through this comprehensive and diversified farming approach, Soniya not only meets a wide range of market needs but also promotes sustainable agriculture and long-term profitability.
Dairy Farming & Agro-Processing
Recognizing the potential of dairy farming, Soniya expanded her venture to produce high-quality dairy products, seamlessly integrating it with her overall farm enterprise. Her startup, Avni Agri and Dairy Products, plays a vital role in enhancing value addition and promoting farm-based entrepreneurship. By adopting a direct-to-market model, she eliminates middlemen, ensuring fair pricing for farmers while strengthening market accessibility.
Her warehousing and processing unit, strategically located in Rajasthan, supports efficient storage and production, further enhancing product quality and distribution. Through dedicated brand development, she has established "The Lady Farmer" as a trusted name, effectively marketing her products and reinforcing her commitment to sustainable agricultural practices.
Empowering Farmers & Creating Employment
Beyond her personal success, Soniya is deeply committed to supporting rural communities, empowering farmers and unemployed individuals—particularly women—to achieve financial independence. Her collaboration with Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) and various state government programs plays a crucial role in advancing farmer training and awareness, promoting efficient farm practices, and strengthening market linkages.
Through her initiatives, she actively generates employment opportunities for rural youth while encouraging women farmers to explore agribusiness ventures. By bridging the gap between traditional farming methods and modern innovations, Soniya ensures a sustainable and profitable future for agriculture, fostering resilience and prosperity in rural economies.
Soniya recently joined the Global Farmer Business Network (GFBN), an initiative by Krishi Jagran that empowers Indian farmers through knowledge-sharing and collaboration. As a dynamic agripreneur, she actively shares her experiences and promotes sustainable, organic, and profitable farming models. Through her enterprise and training initiatives in partnership with government programs, she guides and empowers fellow farmers- especially women- helping build a future where Indian agriculture is both lucrative and environmentally sound.
Recognitions & Prestigious Awards
Soniya’s dedication and groundbreaking contributions to agriculture have earned her prestigious accolades, including:
-
Padma Award – Recognized by ICAR for excellence in integrated farming.
-
Certificate of Appreciation – Awarded for promoting integrated farming systems.
-
Dhartiputra Samman – Honored by CRI Pumps & Agriculture Times.
-
District-Level Award – Presented under the Krishonnati Yojana (ATMA) initiative.
-
ATARI Recognition – Felicitated for being a progressive farmwoman entrepreneur.
With farming, processing, and farmer empowerment at the core of her mission, Soniya Jain has revolutionized the way agriculture is perceived in India. Her self-sustaining model, commitment to farmer welfare, and focus on direct market access make her a trailblazer in modern Indian agriculture.
What began as a passion for farming has grown into a transformative enterprise—supporting rural communities, promoting sustainability, and empowering farmers. Blending innovation with tradition, it redefines agriculture as a force for progress, creating lasting impact and inspiring the next generation of agricultural entrepreneurs.
Note: Global Farmer Business Network (GFBN) is a dynamic platform where agricultural professionals, farmer entrepreneurs, innovators, buyers, investors, and policymakers - converge to share knowledge, experiences, and scale their businesses. Powered by Krishi Jagran, GFBN facilitates meaningful connections and collaborative learning opportunities that drive agricultural innovation and sustainable development through shared expertise. Join GFBN today: https://millionairefarmer.in/gfbn
